Friday, February 18, 2011

Friend Friday: My Body

Have you been reading the Friend Friday posts but aren't quite sure what they're about? Click here to read all about it and here to meet Katy, the creator!

This week we're discussing body image. Here are today's questions:

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?Not so much my image of myself but I certainly feel more freedom to be expressive and creative and daring in my sartorial choices. I still have issues. I still have things that I don't like about myself, physically or otherwise (hence the reason I started Fabulous In February, to try focusing more on the positives!) and yet somehow, I can wear a leopard print dress with bright purple tights to a crowded restaurant and be confident. I think mostly because of the validation that I get from all of YOU lovely friends! I'm so glad to have "met" you all! I can't thank you enough for the confidence you've instilled in me.

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?Oh dear. I don't really talk about it because I don't want to make my blog a cesspool of negativity. The end.

3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?I think I've made a lot of progress in gaining confidence in my ability to dress my shape and coloring. I've gained a trust in my opinions. I've gained the ability to disagree with someone else's choices and not automatically believe that they must be right and I must be wrong. I think that the future holds growth in my personal confidence and I can only hope that means more bravery in creativity!

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you're having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?I do. Obviously. :) (Not everyone answering these questions writes a style blog, so many may not photograph themselves.) I feel the experience is rushed because I try to snap pictures right before I leave for work on most days! Other times, such as on the weekends, I feel a little silly asking someone else to take my photos because I'm so used to taking them myself in the privacy and comfort of my own home. I do get embarassed and feel like onlookers will view me as narcissistic when that's not my intention at all.

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart?I would want them to take to heart the fact that EVERY SINGLE PERSON DOES struggle with body image! No one is completely confident in every little (or big!) thing about themselves, so while you may be envious of *her* legs and think your arms are gross, someone else might be envious of your hair or beautiful smile. And I would want them to read this post by Sarah. Because I loved it.

How do you feel about body image in general? Are you happy with every thing about yourself? If you're a blogger, how has blogging helped improve your self-image?

I think you touch on something really important about gaining trust in opinions. I really feel like blogging has done that for me, too. It's made me more fearless in more than one aspect of my life, and that's wonderful. And like you, I try to focus my blog on the positive. I think we all see things and are critical of ourselves that others may or may not notice... but why linger on it? It's rarely productive and positive to laundry list the issues.

I love your answers :) I agree, everyone has something they don't like about themselves, but why focus on that? And it's nice that blogging give us the confidence to be more ourselves or to step slightly out of our comfort zones and knowing there is a lot of support our there.

I'm so glad that you have experienced a confidence boost from your readers. I feel the same way. There's something to be said about a bunch of other really beautiful and genuine people having nice things to say about you. And you deserve it all. You're so beautiful and you've worked very hard to be healthy. I'm so thankful you've shared bits and pieces of your story with us.

Thanks for sharing beautiful! I agree with your last point that no one is completely confident in their skin- I have struggled with body dysphoria for years and it's something I might have to work on for years to come. I love how supportive the blogging community is and how it provides us fashionistas with a creative outlet! xo Emily

Another great post, Melissa! You're totally right, everyone has body issues - and I think for me, blogging has actually helped me with them! If I don't look good in something, I can figure a way to make it work for me - if I am dealing with middle-of-winter pasty face, a bit of makeup will brighten me right up - and the right heels will have me look taller and lose 10lbs immediately! ;o)

I always enjoy reading your answers to these questions, and it's been very interesting for me to see how my own ideas about body image have evolved while style blogging! Thanks for the interesting post! :)